Measuring apparatus



May 29, 1928.

A J. G. 4NORTON uEAsunING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 21. l1922 3 She-ets-Sheet 1 May 29, 1928.

J. G. NORTON MEASURING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 2 1. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet l Il May 29, 1928. 1,671,737 A v J. G. NORTON I MEASURING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 21. 1922 :5 sheets-sheet 3 Patented May 29, 1928. i

1,611,737 PATENT OFFICE.

JnMns'G. NORTON, or NEW Yonx, N. Y.

` HEASURING APPARATUS.

Application filed February 21, 1922. Serial No. 538,256.

`This invention relates to n'ieasuring apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for determining the dimensional characteristics of articles. I'norderf to determine whether' an article is `uniform with respect to one of its dimensions and the difference or variation, if any,

in a dimensioufof an article such, forexample, as its thickness, it has heretofore been necessary,pso far as applicant isaWa-re, to measure the article at one point, then to measure it at a point spaced from the `first, and finally to compare Vthe measurements and to calculate fromthem the difference in the dimension of the article at such points. The determination ofthe difference in thickness of an article in this `Way requires at least three and very often involves an even greater numberof operations. For instance, if" the erson doing themeasuring is not a. good mat ematician ordocs not have a retcntive memory, he must vproceed about as follows; first, measure the thickness of the artlcleat one point; second, note down the meas` urement on a sheet of paper; third, measure the thickness of the article at a pointspaced from the first; fourth, note down the measurement at the second point; and iifth, compare the two measurements and subtract the smaller-from the larger.` In the event "that y `it-isdesiredto measure van article very accurately, such' as to thousandths of an inch, it may be necessary inthe use of prior methods for a person who wishes to cletermiiietlie difference in the thickness or other dimen` sion of the article to perform all ofthe `0perations above enumerated, although he possesses both good mathematical ability anda good memory. y y

An" object of this invention is to enable `the uniformity or lack of uniformity of an article in one of its dimensions tobc ascertained and the difference, if any, in thcdimension at spaced points to be determined in a single operation. and Without `necessitating the making of any calculation. Inl the use of the invention, `uniformity in a dimension of an article at the points measured is, preferably, l indicated by the registration of Y a pointer with `the. zero point on a scale, and the difference in thedimension may be read oli" directly on the scale from the extent to which the pointeris removed lfrom the zeropoint. e y

.An important feature of the invention .reaide in the Parisian 0f amenities meins constructed and arranged to have an article passed4 over it and means for determining the difference in the `thickness of the article at spaced points. The illustrated embodiment of the invention is particularly designed for use in determining whether steel stripsor platesare of uniform thickness and the variation, if any, in the thickness of such strips. Accordingly, the supporting means is so constructed as to enable the passage of steel `strips through the apparatus. In the manufactureof steel strips and plates, it is found that if4 the portions of a strip adjacent to its edgesarc of the desired thickness, the thickness of the strip at its intermediate por# tions "is generally satisfactory. In the illustrated machine, therefore, the means for determining the difference in thickness of the article tested comprises detectors arranged for riding engagement with a. strip adjacent to its edges. For `convenience in passing the strips throughv the apparatus and to minimize Wear on the 'supporting members and the detectors, such parts are preferably made in the form of rollers.` y

It is contemplated that the invention may be usedinmills for rolling steel strips or plates, and that al machine `embodying thc invention maybe interposed between each two adjacent sets of rolls in the mill or be! tween any `desired sets of. rolls. In such use of the invention, the steel `strips may be. supported by the rolls of the mill during their engagement by the detecting rollers of the measuring apparatus, and the supporting meansof the measuring apparatusV may, consequentlyL bepmitted` Without departing from the principles lofthe invention.

Itlis a further` object of the invention to indicate directly whether an article is larger or smaller, `as the case may be, in oneof its dimensions at one piont than at` another. ,'.lothis end, an important feature oi the invention `cimsistsiii providing an indicator comprising a scale and a pointer and `means forj'elfebting relative `movement of the scale and pointer to `cause the pointer to occupy a positiontoone sideor the other of a certain point on the scale depending upon therelation between `the findings of the detectors Whichengage the article. In the rolling of steel strips. the operatives are more concerned ythat the thickness .of the strip shall not be less than thedesired measurement than that `it shall not exceed suchmeasurement. Ac-

aci-dinastia the naaimachine the pointe is caused to occupy a position at the right side of the zero point on the scale, when the right side of the strip is the thinner,vand to occupy a position at the left side of the zero point, when the left side of the strip is the thinner.

This application and my application for Letters Patent, Serial N o. 391,317, filed June 24, 1920, for Apparatus for Testing and Grading Articles contain common patentable subject matter. Claims for such subject matter are made in the earlier application. Said application became Patent No. 1,442,233, Jan. 16, 1923. i

Although the invention will be herein described in its application to an apparatus for determining the thickness characteristics of steel strips, it is recognized that the invention may be used to determine the Characteristics of dimensions other than thickness, for example, width, and vthat it may be utilized in connection with articles and objects of widely varying form andA composition. It is intended, therefore, that the scope of the invention shall not be limited except as required by the prior art.

Still other objects and features of the invention will appear as the description proceeds and will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with the invention g Fig. 2 is a transverse, elevational view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and looking toward the rear of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the devices for directly controlling the movement of the main pointer of the indicator;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of one of the slides for operating the pointer controlling devices;

Fig. 5 illustrates the indicator looking toward the right in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the machine; and

. Fig. 7 is `a detail view of the connection between the main pointer of the indicator and its operating lever.

The illustrated machine comprises a column 1() adapted toibe secured to a floor and carrying a head 12 on which the measuring apparatus is supported. The column 10 is also, preferably, provided with a bracket 14 upon which the supporting means for the article tov be measured is mounted. As shown, the article supporting means comprises rollers 16 journalled in the bracket 14 against bodily movement relatively to the bracket and arranged to provide a gaging surface disposed in a substantially horizontal plane, and the rollers are spaced from each other by a distance such as to adapt them to engage a steel strip adjacent to its stituted by rollers 18 and 20 adapted for engagement with the edge portions of the strip in the same vertical planes as the su porting rollers. The construction of t e supporting members and the detectors in the form of rollers enables such parts to be used for a considerable period without appreciablewear and facilitates the passage of strips through the machine.

The detecting rollers 18 and 20am journalled in the bifurcated `lower ends of plungers 22 and 24 mounted in the head 12 of the machine for vertical sliding movement. As shown, the frame of the, head 12 is of inverted U-shape, and the plungers 22 and 24 pass through the top wall of the frame. Between its top wall and its lower edges, the head is provided with upper and lower horizontal walls 26 and 28 which reinforce the frame of the head and support the plungers and the detecting rollers Vrigidly against lateral movement While permitting them toy move freely in a vertical direction. The plungers 22 and 24 are provided with transversely ydisposed pins 30 and 32 extending atV their outer ends through vertical slots 34 in the sides of the frame. The pins 30 and 32 maintam lthe detecting rollers 18 and 20 in proper alinement with the strip being measured and also limit the downward movement of the plunger's and the detecting rollers under t e action of compression springs 36 coiled about the plungers 22 and 24 between the upper Wall 26 and the pins 3() and 32. Securedv on the outer sides of the head 12 are vertical guide bars 38 upon which are dove-tailed horizontal bars 40 extending in both directions from the vertical bars 38 and having their ends disposed beneath the projecting ends of the pins 3 0 and 32. The bars 40 are provided centrally with outwardly extending studs 42 overlying the ends of levers 44 fulcrumed at 46 on the head 12. At the rear side of the machine, the ends of the levers 44 are connected by a transverse rod 48. With this` the direction ,of angular nioveinent of thev sleeve. The post 56 is mounted in the sleeve 52 for angular movement relatively to the sleeve and the frame, and seated in the lower end` ot the pestis a pin received inthe slot 58 of the sleeve. In the illustrated con-l struction, assuming that the pin60 `occupies an intermediate position` in the slot 58, if the sleeve 52` moved angularly toward the lett or clockwise relatively `to the post 56,

thepin and` slotconnection 60, 58. will cause` the post 56 `to be lowered, whereas, if the post 56 isturned to the lett `relatively to the sleeve the post will be moved upwardly.

Connections `are provided `for transmit-` ting movement directly from the plungers 22 and 24 to the sleeve 52 and. post 56 respectively; Such connections preferably comprise wedge bars 62 and 64 guided for vertical movement on the inner side et one of the vertical walls el the head 12. The wedge bars 62` and 64 are provided with slotted ears at their lowerends `emb acing 'the pins 30 and 32` onthe plungers, the

wedge portions of the bars being located at their upper ends and presenting inclined surfaces 66 :torengagenient with rolls 68 journalled` in longitudinal channels formed in horizontally supported slides 72 and 74. The slides 72 and 74 are mounted on shelves` 76 and 78 extendinginwardly ,from the vertical wall of the head. .The

slide 72 is formed at its rear end with rack teeth 8O meshing with a pinion 82 on `the sleeve 52. The post 56 is provided above the sleeve 52 with a gear 84 meshing with rack teeth 86 en the rear end of the slide A74. rlhe slide 74 and shelt`78 are locatedabove theslide 72 and `shelf 76. Consequently, the wedge bar 64 which connects the slide 74 to the pin 32 on the plunger 24 is o greater length than `the wedge bar 62 connecting the slide 72 to the pin 8001i `the plunger 22. Otherwise, theconi'iections between the plungers 22 and 24 and the sleeve 52 and post 56 respectively` are similar. The

slides 72 and 74 are normally `urged to the: right, as shown in Fig. lxof thc drawings,l by` springs 88 coiled about the reduced forey ward ends ofthe slides between shoulders 90.011 the slides and ythelup-turned ends 92 of the shelves 76 and 78. The springs! 88 are relatively light as compared to the springs 36 on the plungers, so thatthey operate to maintainthe rolls .68 on the slides 72 and 74 against the` inclined surfaces 66` of the wedge bars 62and 64 without interference with lthe action of the springs 36 in pressing the detecting rollers 18 and 26 against the strip being measured. The connections between the plungers and 24 and the sleeve 52 and` post 56 areso constructed and ar` ranged that, when the detecting rollers engage a strip at points ol efliual thickness, or the pins 36 and 32 rest on t ie bottoms of the slots or en the lifting bars 40,`the pin `66 en the post 56 is caused to occupy a position mid-way ot the slot 58 in the sleeve 52. Moreover, such connections and the pin and slot connection 60, 58 are so constructed as to cause the post 56 to be raised'or lowered from its normal. position to an extent in aecoidance with the difference in thickness of the si ip at the points engaged by the detecting rollers. i

Pivoted on the top wall of the uprights 94 is a lever 96 having the rear end of its shorter arm resting on the head 57 of the post 56 and maintained lightly against the head by a spring 98 interposed between the longer arm 100 of the lever and the top wall of the head `12. Mounted on the forward end of the head 12 is a dial 102 in the center of which is journalled a pintle .104 carrying a pointer 106 movable over the face oi2 `the dial upon rotation of the pintle.

ixed to ,the pintle on the rear side of the dialy is a pinion 108vnieshing with a segmental racl; llOat the end of the long arm 100 0i' the lever 96. 'Iheabovelescribed con neetions between the post 56 and the pointer 166 areso constructed and arranged that, when the Ipin 60 on the post is located niid way of the slot in the sleeve 52 and the post is in its normal vertical position, the pointer will register with thetop point of the scale on `the dial. `Thescale on the dial can be more accurately described as two scales extending in opposite directions from such top point which constitutes a. common zero mark for both scales. `The connections between the post56 and the pointer 106 are further so constructed as to cause the pointer to be n'ioved to the right or lett ot the zero point on the ,dial `to an extent in `accordance with the extent to which the post 56 is lowered or raised l'romits normal position.

The manner ot operation oi the parts thus `wedge bar'62 and slide 72 to the same exhead 12 iny lOl) inA Fig. 1 than will the post 56.

tent that the post 56 is moved by the Wedge bar 64 and slide 74, inasmuch as thev angular or turning movements ofthe sleeve and the post are equal, there will be no relative angular movement between the sleeve and the post. Consequently, the pin 60 will remainmid-'way of the slot 58 and the post 56 will remain in its normal verticalposition, as will be indicated by the continued registration of the pointer 106 'with the zero point on the dial! It will be understood from the 'foregoing that the position ot' the pointer is unaffected by the actual thickness of the strip, that is, Whether the strip as a Whole is a thick or thin one, since equal moif'ements of the detecting rolls in the same direction will induce no movement of the pointer.

If the strip is thinner at the right-hand edge, Where it is engaged by the detecting roller 18 than at its left-hand edge, the detecting roller 18 will be moved down further thanthe roller 20, and the sleeve 52 will be turned'further to the left, as seen Consequently, the post 56 will be lowered and, inasmuch as the segmental'rack 110 is located on the far side of the pinion 108, as seen in Fig. 1 and the lever` 96 is caused by the spring 98 to follow the movements ,of the post 56, the pointer 106 will be moved over the scale at the right of the zero mark on the dial 102 to an extent such as to indicatek on thc-scale the difference in the thickness of the strip at the points measured.

It the strip is thinner at its left-hand edge, Where it is engaged b the detecting roller 20 than at its rightiand edge, the post 56 will be turned further than the sleeve 52 and will, consequently, be forced upwardly by engagement of the pin 60 with the. lower edge of the slot 58. This will cause the pointer 106 to be moved over the scale at the left of the Zero mark on the dial 102 in accordance with the variation in the thickness of'the strip.

The illustratedmachine includes few con" nections Where lost motionmay develop and cause inaccuracy in the readings of t-he indicator. The provision ol means for obviating lost motion in the various connections can be readily effectedby a mechanic skilled in the art and would involve no departure from the principles of` the invention. For example, the parts on the Wedge bars 62 and 64 which embrace the pins 30 and32 may be detachably and adjustably secured* to the bars` so as to enable them to be moved on the bars to take up lost motion or to be replaced by new parts after they have become worn. Lost motion in the connections t0 rotary parts, such as the sleeve 52, post 56, and the pinion 108 on the pintle of the pointer 106 can be taken up by means such as areY shown, for example,` in they United levers 44 for lifting, the detecting rollers' may have their operating ends extended for wardly on the head 12 rather than rearward-1 ly, so that they maybe actuated. by an,

operative standing in front ofthe machine facing the dial 102,

Although the machine has been described as comprising only two detectors, it is recognized that many ofthe features of my present invention may be embodied in a machine comprising more than two detectors, and in which the detectors are caused to control the sleeve 52 andpost56 by connections such as are disclosed in my abovementioned application `for Letters Patent.

It is sometimes of importance to ascertain the actual thickness ofan` article, such as a steel strip or plate, at a certain point or points, as well as to determine the difference in the thickness of the article at To this end, the plungers 22 such points. and 24' are extended' at their upper ends above the top wall ofthehead'12 and are provided with rack teeth 116,'meshing With(` pinions 118 on shafts 120'and 122mounteflL transversely ofthe head 12 in uprights 124.

The shaft 120 is extended to the right of the pinion 118, as seen in Fig. 6 and is p rovided atits right endwith a cam 126; i A lever 128 fulcrumed in a bracket 130 on the top wall of the head 124 has its'shorter arm held in engagement with the cam 126 by a suitable spring 132 and its longer arm formed at its forward end with teeth 134 meshingwith a pinion 136'on the pintle ot` a small pointer 138- arranged tomove over, a small scale located Within the peripheral scale of the dial 102 and at the right side of the center ofthe dial. As seen in Fig.V

1, lthe lever 128 is positioned toward the observer from the pinion 136, so that as the plunger 22 is movedupwardly from the positiony in which the pin 30-rests on the bottoms of the slots 34y and in Whichthe detecting rollers are in substantial contact with the supporting rollers 16, the pointer 138 is moved-in a clockwise direction from the zero point on its scale.

The shaft, 122 extends to the left of the plunger 2411s shown in Fig. 6, andv is providedV at its left-hand'end with a cam 140 which, in, co-operation with a. spring 142 controls a lever 144, geared to the pointer 146 ofI a small scale located Within the peripheral scale on the diall 102y atf the left side of the dial: The gearing between the lever 144 and the pointer 146`is` so arranged as to cause the pointer 146 to, move in a clock-wise direction from zero position` as the plunger is raised from its lowermost position. l

From the foregoing, it wiltbe-understood that the accuracy ofthe indicators comprising the pointers 138 and 146 and that of the reading from the position of the pointer 106 on the dial can be verified by comparison of the difference in thickness of a strip as indicated directly by the pointer 106 with the result obtained by subtracting the smaller measurement, as indicated on the individual thickness indicators, from the larger measurement.

Although the invention has been described in its application to the measurement of articles, such` as steel strips, which `are desiredto be of equal thicknessfat the points measured,` it may, nevertheless, be utilized to measure articles which'vary in the dimension being measured. For example, if a steel strip is intended to vary in thickness at its edges by half an inch, the invention may be employed to indicate directly whether the difference in the thickness of the strip is greater or less than haltl an inch. To facilitate the use of the invention for such purposes, the pinion 108 Fig. 7 on the pintle 104 of the pointer 106 is provided in its hub` with a set screw 141-8 fitting into an annular groove 150 near the end of the pintle, so that after loosening the screw 148 the pointer 106 and` its pintle may be turned relatively to the pinion 108. The pinion may then be secured in its adjusted position on the pintle by again tightening the set screw. IVith this construction, if it is desired to measure a steel strip which should vary in thickness at its edges `by half an inch,` the pointer 106 andthe pinion 108- may be. relatively adjusted so that, when a strip having a halfV inch variation is passed through the machine, the pointer 106 willv occupy the zero position on the dial 102, and will move to the right or left of the zero point to indicate a less or greater variation than that desired and. the extent of the departure from the desired Variation. In such use of the machine, all of the strips are passed through the machine in the same relation, that is, the strips are arranged with their thinner edges always in engagement. with the same one of the detecting rollers 18 and 20. In the foregoing sentence, it is assumedjthat the thinner edges of the strips are passed beneath the roller 18. y

It the machine is set for use on strips of equalthickness and it is desired to adjust itfor use on strips varying in thickness, for example', by 4half an inch, a convenient mctliodof making the adjustment is to place a strip of the desired measurements beneath the detecting rollers and then to turn the pointer 100 relativelyto the pinion 108 to set the pointer in zero position. Of course, instead of a strip other objects such as blocks having the desired difference in thickness may be placedunder the detecting rollers to :facilitate the setting` of the pointer. .It will be manifest, also, that the relative adjustment of the pointer 106 and the pinion 108 may also be utilized t0 make corrections in the indicator consisting of the dial 102 and the pointer. In other words, if it is found that the pointer 106, by reason of the development of a small amount of'lost motion in the operation of some of the parts of the machine, does not registeraccurately with the zero point on the dial, when a strip of equal thickness or having the desired variation` in thickness, is passed through the machine, the reading of the ointer can be corrected by turning, it slig tly with relation to the pinion. The pintles of the pointers 138 and 146 of the individual thickness indicators may also beconnected to their operating pinions in the manner shown in Fig. 7, in order to enablethe readings of the indicators to be corrected to compensate for slight wear of the operating parts.

The` invention is alsoapplicable to the measurement of strips of irregular form in transverse section, such as steel rails. In themeasurement of rails, one ofthe detecting rollers may be caused toengage the edge of the upper flange of the rail and the other to engage the edge of the base flange. One or both of the detecting rollers may be grooved or otherwise suitably shaped to adapt them to the form of the article to `be measured.

In rolling steel strips or plates, it is necessary to set the rolls very carefully, and after the rolls have been adjusted it 1s necessary to measure the strips frequently in order to make sure thata roll has not Worn unequally or been accidentally moved from its proper position. This invention enables an operative to ascertainat a glance whether a strip is of the desired uniformity of thickness or whether it has the desired variation in thickness, as the case may be. If the strips delivered from a set of rolls are not of the desired relative thickness at their edges, correction may be made by adjust-ing one end of the rolls to the extent indicated by the pointer 106.

Itwill be apparent-from the `foregoing that a valuable feature of the invention re sides in indicating or determining the relation between the findings of detectors, for example, thickness detectors, without requiring the performanceof any mathematical calculation. In certain of the claims this feature is brought out in positive terminology by the recitation of means for directly indicating or determining, as the case may be, the relation between the findings of the detectors.

Having fully described the invention,

what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Inl an apparatus of the class described, means for directly determining the difference in the thickness of anl article at spacedv points and means` fork supporting the article for traverse relatively to tbe supporting means and in engagement with the determining means, said determining means inc'lut'ling detectors, an inclicator,'1neans for connecting the indicator with aplurality ot the detectors, and means ior causing each of thedetectorsto engage the article regardless of the thickness of the article the point engaged by any other detector. A

2. In an apparatus of the class described, support-ing means construct-ed and arranged to support a strip o'tmaterial for traverse over said means andy mechanism for directly determining the variation'.l ii any, in the thickness ol the strip at points spaced from each other transversely othe strip, said mechanism comprising anv indicator and means for causing lthe indicator to show whether the strip at a particular one of said points.` is thicker or thinner thanA at another` of said poi-nts.

3. In an apparatus ot the class described, a frame, supporting means fixed to, the frame against relative bodily movement, vand mechanism co-actinv with the supporting means for directly dttermining the variation in thickness oi" an article, said mechanism comprising an indicator, detectors, an element mounted for compound movement including lrotary and lrectilinear components, connections between the detectors and the element for imparting said compound m0vement to said element and means for operatively connecting said element to the indcator.

4. Inl an apparatus of the class described, detecting devices constructed and arranged for riding engagement with a, strip of Inaterial ad'acent to its edges, means controlled by the detecting devices for directly indicating the difference in thickness of the strip at the points engaged by Said devices. said means comprising an indicator and means for operatively connecting'the indicator with a pluralityof detecting devices, and means Jfor causing each of the detectingdevices to engage the strip regardless of the thickness of the stri at the point engaged' by any other detecting device.

5. In an apparatus of the. class described, supporting means arranged for engagement with one side of a strip of material and providing a fixed gaging surface, detecting-rolls arranged for riding engagement With the opposite side of the strip adjacent to its edges, and means jointly controlled by the detectini rolls tor indicatingthe variation in thickness of the strip at the points engaged by the detecting rolls, said means comprising an indicator, and means for causing the indicator to be at all times under joint control of a plurality of the detecting rolls during operation of the apparatus.

nanna? 6. In. an apparatus of the class described, a frame, a pair of detectors mounted on'the frame for' movement relatively vthereto into operative enoagement with a piece to be measured and` mechanism contro led b the detectors for directly indicating the 'iierence in thickness of the iece at points engaged by the detectors, said mechanism4 com,- prisin an vindicator and means for causing the in icator to show at which of said points the piece is relatively thick and thin respectively.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, a frame, a pair of detectors eachV of which is mounted on the frame for movement relatively thereto, means for automatically moving the detectors into operative relation with a piece to be measured, an indicator and mechanism for jointly controlling the indicator by the detectors to cause it to indicate the difference in thickness of the pieceat the oints engaged by the detectors, said mec ianism including an element always operatively connected with one of the detectors, another element always operatively connected with the other detector and means for causing the indicator to be at all times under the joint control of said elements during operation of the a vparatus.l

8. In an apparatus of the class escri'bed, a frame,` a pair of members mounted on the :frame `:for engagement with a strip of material at points spaced fromV each other transversel of the strip, and mechanism con- .trolle by said members for directly determining the dierence in thickness of the stri, at the points engaged by the members sai mechanism( includin an indicator land operating connections etween the indicator and Said members4 respectively, each of said connections always comprising the same parts and said connections beine vconstructed to cause the indicator to be a ways operativel connected with both of said members c uring operation of theapparatus 9. In an apparatusof the class described, a frame. a pair of detectors mounted on the frame for engagement with a piece to be measured and mechanism controlled by the detectors for'directly determining the difference in thickness of the piece at spaced points, said mechanism comprising an indicator,an indicator-controlling and detectorcontrolled element, and operating connections alwa s comprising the same parts be tween sai element and the indicator and between the element and each of the detectors respectively, said operating connections being constructed to cause said elementA to be always operatively connected with both of said detectors during operation of the ap paratus.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, a frame. detecting devices movably mounted on the frame and constructed to ride on a l lo liti) steel. strip adjacent to its edges, yielding means tending to move the detecting devices toward the strip, and means controlled by the detecting devices for directly indicating the difference in the thickness of the strip at the points engaged by saiddevices.

ll. In an apparatus of the class described, a pair of detecting devices, a movable member, connections between said member and one ot' said devices for moving the member in harmony with said device, said connections being operative to move the member in either one of two opposite directions, means connected with the other detecting device for imparting to said member movements in a line of motion at an angle to the iirst-mentioncd directions and to an extent corresponding with the difference in movements of the detecting devices, and means for indicating the position ot' said member 4in said line of motion.

l2. In an apparatus of the class described, a trame, a member mounted on the frame for movement relatively thereto, a second member mounted on the f'ame for `movement relatively to the frame and the first-mentioned member, a pair ot' detecting devices,

means for transn'iitting movement from one ol the detecting devices to one of said members and means for transmitting movement from the other detecting device to the other of said members, an indicator, connections between said members for imparting movement to said first-mentioned member upon relative movement of the members in a direction at an angle to that in which said transmitting means tends to move it, and means for utilizing the movement of the first-mentioned member caused by said connections to set the indicator.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, a frame, a sleeve mounted in the trame for rotary movement relatively thereto, a member mounted in the sleeve for rotary movement relatively to the frame andy to said sleeve, connections between the sleeve and said member forv effecting relative movement of said member and the sleeve axially of the sleeve upon relative rotary movement of the member and the sleeve, a pair of detectors, means for transmitting `rotary movement from one et' the ydetectors to the sleeve,

means for transmitting rotary movement from the other detector to said member, an indicator, and means for settingthe indicator in accordance With the extentof relative axial movement of the sleeve land said member.

14. In an apparatus of the class described, a trame` a sleeve mounted on `the frame for rotary movement relatively thereto, a post n'lounted in the sleeve for rotary movement relatively to the frame and the sleeve, detectors arranged for engagement withla strip of material adjacent to its edges,"connec tions between one ofthe detectors and the sleeve for imparting rotary movement to the sleeve, connections between' the other detectorfand the post for imparting rotary movement to the post, means for moving the post vertically upon relative rotary movement of the sleeve andthe post, an indicator, and means for setting the indicator in accordance with the position of the post in the range of its'verticalmovement 15; In an apparatus oi the class described, a frame, a sleeve mounted on the trame for rotary movement relatively thereto, a post mounted in the sleeve for rotary movement relzitively to the sleeve and the frame, detecting rolls constructed and arranged for riding cngagen'ient with a steel strip adjacent to its edges, connections between one of the detecting rolls and the sleeve ior causing the sleeve to be rotated at all times in` response to movement of said roll, connections between the other detecting roll and the post for causing the post to be rotated at all times in response to the movement of said lastm-entioned roll, a pin and slot connection between the sleeve and the post constructed to cause the post to be moved vertically in response to relative rotary movement of the sleeve and the post, an indicator, and means for setting the indicator in accordance with the position of the post in the range of its vertical movement.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, an indicator comprising a scale and a pointer, a pair of independently movable detectors, means for maintaining an` object to be measured in position for engagement by the detectors, and means for eilecting relative movement of the.` scale and the pointer to cause the pointer upon relative movement of the detectors to occupy a position at one side or the other of a certain point on said scale depending upon whether the finding of one of the detectors is greater or less than the finding of the other detector.

17. In an apparatus of the class described, a frame, an indicator' on the framecomprising a scale and a pointer, a pair of detectors mounted on the frame `for movement relatively thereto, mechanism constructed to provide a gaging surface for enga-gement with an article opposite from each of the detectors, `and means controlled by thc detectors for effecting relative movement of the scale and the pointer to cause the pointer to occupy a position at 4one side or the other of a certain point on the scale depending upon whether the finding of one of the detectors is greater or less than the finding ot the other detector.

l `1S. In an apparatus of the class described, an indicator comprising a scale and a pointer, a pair of detectors arranged for engagement with an article to determine its thickness, and means controlled by the detectors for effecting relative movement of the scale and the pointer to cause the pointer to occupy a position at one side or the other of a certain point on the scale depending upon whether the article at the point engaged by one of said detectors is thicker or thinner than at the point engaged by the other detector.

19. In an apparatus of the class described, an indicator comprising a scale and a pointer, a pair of detectors arranged for engagement with an article to determine its thickness, and means controlled by the detectors for eifecting relative movement of the scale and the pointer to cause the pointer to occupy a position at one side or the other of a certain point on the scale, depending upon whether the article at the point engaged by one of said detectors is thicker or thinner' than at the point engaged by the other detector, and to an extent in accordance with the difference in the thickness of the article at said points.

20. In'an apparatus of the class described, a dial having like scales extending on opposite sides of a common zero point, a ointer, a pair of detecting rolls arranged or riding engagement with a steel strip adjacent to its edges, and means controlled by the detecting rolls for moving the pointer to the right or left of the zero point on the scale depending upon which of the edges of the strip is the thicker and to an extent in accordance with the difference in thickness of the strip at its edges.

2l. In an apparatus of the class described, a frame, an indicator comprising a pointer and a dial having two scales extending in opposite directions from a common zero point, a. post and a sleeve enclosing the post and having a slot inclined to its axis, said sleeve being mounted on the frame for angular movement relatively to the frame and post, a pin carried by the post and fitted into the slot in the sleeve for moving the post vertically upon relative angular movement of the post and the sleeve, connections between the post and the pointer for causing the pointer to register with the zero point on the scale when the pin occupies a predetermined intermediate position in the slot and operable to move the pointer to one or the other side of the zero point to an extent in accordance with the raising or lowering of the post from the position in which the pin occupies said predetermined position in the slot, a pair of detectors for engaging an article at spaced points to determine its relative thickness, and connections between one of said detectors and the post and between the other detector and the sleeve constructed to move the sleeve and the post angularly upon movement of the corresponding detectors, said connections being further constructed to cause the pin to occupy said predetermined intermediate position in the slot when the yarticle is of equal thickness at the points engaged by. the detectors, and said last-named connections and the pin and slot connection being constructed to cause the post to be moved upwardly or downwardly in accordance as to whether the article at the point engaged by one of the detectors is thicker or thinner than at the point enga ed bythe other `detector, and to an exten in accordance with the difference in thickness of the article at the points engaged by the detectors.

22. In an apparatus o1 the class described, a frame, a member movably mountcd on the i" rame and providedwith a surface inclinedy to its direction oi movement, a second member mounted on the frame for movement relatively to the frame and the first-mentioned member and provided with a part arranged for engagement with said inclined surface to cause movement of said tirst member to eiect movementof the second memberin a line of motion at an angle to the direction of relative movement ot the members, a pair of detectors for determining the thickness ot an article at spaced points, connections between the detectors and said members constructed to cause said part to occupy an intermediate position on said inclined surface when the detectors engage an article at points of equal thickness, said connections being further constructed to cause the second member to be moved in said line of motion in accordance with the diiiercnce in thickness ofan article at the points engaged by the detectors and in either of two directions depending u on whether the article is relatively thick or t iin at the point engaged by one of the detectors, an indicator comprising a point-er and a scale, and connections between the Vindicator and said second member for causing the pointer to register with a certain point on the scale when said part is in said intermediate position on the inclined surface of the first member and constructed to ell'ect relative movement of the scale and pointer in a direction and to an extent in accordance with the character of the movement imparted to said second member in said line of motion.

23. In an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of detectors for determining dimcnsions of an article at spaced points, means for supporting the article for traverse relatively to the su porting means and in engagement with t e detectors, means controlled by the detectors for indicating the individual findings of the detectors, and means controlled by the detectors for directly indicating the relation between the findings of the detectors, so that the accuracy di the relation between the findings of the detectors as obtained by calculation ice Y'from thereadings of first-mentionedin` dicating means and as obtained directly from the 'readings of the last-mentioned inof the first-mentioned indicating means.

Q4. In an apparatus of the class described,

awdialdigiving ascale of graduations ar- 'i ranged around its periphery and being pro` vided wit-h apair of relatively small circular scales located within the first-mentioned scale, a pair of detectors tor determining the thicknessof an article, means controlled by one of the detectors for indicating thetliick ness ot the article at the point engaged by it on one of said smaller scales, means controlled by the other detector for indicating the thickness of the article at the pointengaged by it on the other of said smaller scales, and means controlled by both of the detectors for directly indicating on the peripheral scale the diiierence in thickness of the article at the points engaged by the detectors. i

25. In an apparatus of the class described,

supporting means constructed and arranged to supporta strip oi material for traverse over said means and mechanism for directly indicating the diii'erence in tliethickness of thev strip at two points adjacentl to its edges regardless of whether the vstrip is thicker or thinner at one of said points tlianat the other, said mechanism comprising an indicator, a pair ot detecting devices, a control element for the indicator, means for causing said element to operate the indicator, and means comprisingan operating connection always comprising the saine parts between the control element and each of the detecting devices for impartingcompound movement including rotary and rectilinear components to said eleiiientuiider the control of the detecting devices.

26. In an apparatus ofthe class described, detecting devices constructed and arranged for riding `engagement with a strip of material in lines spaced from each other trans-` versely of the strip, means for` supporting the strip for traverse relatively to the detecting devices and in engagement therewith, and means controlled by the detecting devices for directly determining the difference in thickness of the strip` at spaced y points regardless of whether the strip is thicker or thinner at a particular one of said points than at another of said points, said determining means comprising an indi-` cator, a control element for the indicator, means for causing said element to operate the indicator, and operating connections between the detecting devices andthe element for imparting to the element compound i intivenientl including "rtaiiy an'd rectilinear Components,"`said connections including a.

"connection` betweeiithe element and one of the" `detecting devices comprising the same parts" regarclless of the relation between the lindings of tli'eldtecting devicesl 2f?.` ,y lan apparatus of the class described, detectors `engaging `a stri of materialiat points spaced transverse y of `'the strip, means for supporting the strip" for ,traverse y relativel y1 the detectors aiidmechanism in- Ycludingfan`i`i`idicato`r and" controlled by the detectors for directly indicating relative p0- sitions of the detectors, said indicator comprising a relatively movable scale and pointi er and said `mechanism including an element mounted for compound movement including rotary and rectilinear components under control of the detectors, an operating connection between the element and the indicator, and means including an operating connection always comprising the same parts between the element and each of the detectors for imparting said compound movement to the element.

28. In an apparatus of the class described, a frame, a pair of detectors mounted `for movement relatively thereto and mechanism controlled by the detectors for directly determining the difference between the findings of the detectors regardless of which of the detectors gives the larger `finding, said mechanism comprising an element mounted for compound movement including rotary and rectilinear components and mechanism for imparting such compound movement to said element, said mechanism including means for forming a connection between each of the detectors and the element, which always comprises the saine parts regardless of the relation between the findings of the detectors. i

29. Measuring apparatus comprising a frame including members provided with slots, means for supporting a strip for travand members mounted on the frame members and operatively connected with said ins. i

p 30. Measuring apparatus comprising a frame including members provided with slots, means for supporting a strip for traverse over said means, a plurality of` detectors mounted niovably relatively to the strip for engagement with it, axially movable plungers-carryingthe detectors, a manually-controllable member and connections between the detectors and the last-mentioned member for moving the detectors out of contact with the 6 strip upon movement of the member, said 10 ing said lust-mentioned members.w

3 1. Measuring apparatus comprising a frame, gaging devices',` detecting devices,

means for yieldingly urging the detecting devices, toward the gaging devices, members mounted externally on the frame for movement toward and from theyga ing devices, pin connections between the etecting `ldevices and said members,` and manually-controlled means operatively' connected with said opposition to the yieldin means.

In testimony whereof i aix my signature.

JAMES G. NORTON.

y members for moving thei'detecting devices in 20 

